The aim of this report was to investigate the potential effects of sulfide oxidation in sediments of an arctic lake, N Luossajärvi, induced by lowered water level. Lake water, potentially contaminated by metals, was pumped into a mine tailings impoundment. The water quality in the receiving water was evaluated to see if the drainage have had an effect on the water quality. Six sediment profiles were sampled. Each profile were divided into 5 cm sections and analyzed for major elements and trace metals. Water chemistry were analyzed at six sites. As, Ni and Cu had high concentrations within undrained sediments, where As levels were classified as highly contaminated (> 27 mg kg-1 dw). Trace metals had strong statistical correlation to each other indicating a common source. The PCA analyzes performed suggests that trace metals are controlled by a common factor and drained sediments showed two additional factors controlling the variance of metals. Water chemistry had overall good status, but As, Cd, Ni and Cu exceeded natural background values. Historical data on the other hand showed no statistical difference from measured values. No effects on water quality could therefore be seen after draining of the lake, proposing high precipitation of metals within the tailing or that metals is still prevailing in the drained sediments. Metal mobility were seen within the drained sediments, where only As and Cd were presumed connected to chemical weathering and where erosion and soil properties seems to be responsible for most metal mobility.

The objective of this study is to investigate the stability problems in tailing (i.e. mine waste) dams. A tailing dam is an embankment dam (made of natural borrow or tailing material) constructed to retain slurry-like mining wastes that are produced as a result of operation of mines. In the last 30 years, the stability of tailing dams has drawn much attention as a significant number of tailing dam failures have been recorded worldwide. These instability problems caused significant loss of life and damage to property in addition to environmental hazards. In this study causes of failure of tailing dams and their stability problems are investigated with respect to their geometric and material characteristics. Seepage and stability of tailing dams are studied through limit equilibrium method and finite element method. The effects of uncertainties in material properties on the stability of tailings dams is investigated. Within this context, Kastamonu-Kure copper tailings dam is used as a case study and material properties are determined by laboratory tests.

Mature fine tailings (MFT), as a mixture of residual bitumen, sand, silt, fine clay particles and water, are a byproduct of oil sands extraction. The large volume, and poor consolidation and water release ability of MFT have been causing significant economic and environmental concerns. Therefore, several studies have been implemented on finding innovative dewatering/disposal techniques. As a result, different methods have been introduced and tested at a laboratory or a field scale, yet very few of these are commercially used in the oil sands industries. Despite the extensive research, an optimal solution has not been found due to the lack of technical or economic feasibility. In the present study, a novel approach that consists of the rapid dewatering of MFT by using a super absorbent polymer (SAP) to produce dense MFT is proposed. A comprehensive laboratory investigation on the geotechnical characteristics and behavior before and after treatment of MFT is conducted. The effects of SAP based dewatering and freeze/thaw cycles on the undrained shear strength of dewatered MFT by using a vane shear apparatus are studied. Furthermore, the ability of recycled SAP to dewater and densify MFT is assessed. Finally, this study provides the results of consolidation and hydraulic conductivity testing to evaluate the void ratio versus effective stress and hydraulic conductivity of MFT. The effects on the behavior and characteristics of MFT after amendment with usage of recycled SAP are also investigated. The results indicate that SAP has the ability to significantly dewater, densify and increase the undrained shear strength of MFT. Furthermore, when subjected to freeze/thaw cycles, the MFT dewatered with SAP shows an additional increase in strength and solid content. It is also found to be possible to regenerate the polymer (still within sachets) through light thermal drying, and the regenerated SAP can still significantly dewater and thus increase the shear strength and solid content of the MFT. In addition, the obtained high solid content affects and improves the compressibility of the material, thus resulting in low initial void ratios. On the other hand, low hydraulic permeability that is derived from low initial void ratios and consolidation is improved by the freeze/thaw process due to the interconnected voids created during the freezing process.

A previsão do comportamento de resíduos constituiu-se em um desafio geotécnico, uma vez que estes materiais apresentam uma resposta distinta dos materiais usualmente encontrados em depósitos naturais. A análise dos recalques da fundação, decorrentes da sobrecarga imposta pelo alteamento, é complexa, tendo em vista que o adensamento de resíduos pressupõe grandes deformações, invalidando o uso de teorias clássicas de adensamento. Atualmente, no Brasil, a técnica de disposição de resíduos de bauxita prevê uma operação inicial de lançamento no interior de lagos artificiais, em forma de polpa. Após o esgotamento do lago e ressecamento do resíduo, inicia-se o lançamento pelo método a montante. Neste método, a polpa é lançada sobre o resíduo pré-existente, que se encontra em processo de adensamento. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo reproduzir numericamente o comportamento de áreas de resíduos durante a etapa de alteamento a montante. A pesquisa tem como enfoque 2 áreas de resíduos de bauxita. Uma delas encontra-se em fase de reabilitação e dispõe de instrumentação de campo (recalques e deslocamentos horizontais). A outra se encontra em fase de operação do alteamento e dispõe de dados experimentais. Desta forma, a metodologia consistiu na reprodução numérica do processo de alteamento da área instrumentada e comparação dos resultados com a instrumentação de campo, com objetivo de avaliar o modelo numérico e os parâmetros do resíduo. Posteriormente, realizou-se a previsão do comportamento do resíduo de fundação da área em fase de alteamento. Os parâmetros geotécnicos foram definidos a partir de um extenso programa de ensaios de campo e laboratório, executado no local em estudo, fazendo-se uso de um tratamento estatístico dos dados experimentais. Os resultados numéricos mostraram a potencialidade do programa na previsão do comportamento de áreas de resíduos durante o alteamento a montante, com previsões de recalques e deslocamentos horizontais coerentes com a instrumentação de campo. / The prediction of solid wastes behavior is a challenge for geotechnical engineers, since its response differ from the materials usually found in natural deposits. The analysis of the settlements of the foundation, due to the embankment raising is complex. Tailings undergo large settlements, which cannot be evaluated by ordinary consolidation theories. In Brazil, bauxite tailings are initially discharged into impoundment areas in a slurry form. After achieving the storage capacity of the reservoir, the tailing is allowed to dry, in order to enhance its resistance. Subsequently, the embankment is raised by the upstream method, and the mud is discharged on top of a material which is undergoing a consolidation process. The present research aims at reproducing numerically the response of bauxite tailings due to an upstream raising operation. The research focused 2 impoundment areas at same site. One area is being environmentally rehabilitated and is instrumented with vertical and horizontal gauges. The other is still in operation and an experimental investigation was carried out at this site. The methodology consisted of simulating the sequence of embankment raises and comparing the results with field instrumentation, in order to evaluate the numerical model and waste parameters. Subsequently, the behavior of the foundation of the area undergoing a raising embankment operation was evaluated. The geotechnical parameters were defined according to a statistical treatment of results of the experimental program (field and laboratory). The vertical and horizontal displacements, predicted by the numerical simulation, fitted reasonably well with field instrumentation and showed the inherent potential of the numerical modeling.

A previsão do comportamento de resíduos constituiu-se em um desafio geotécnico, uma vez que estes materiais apresentam uma resposta distinta dos materiais usualmente encontrados em depósitos naturais. A análise dos recalques da fundação, decorrentes da sobrecarga imposta pelo alteamento, é complexa, tendo em vista que o adensamento de resíduos pressupõe grandes deformações, invalidando o uso de teorias clássicas de adensamento. Atualmente, no Brasil, a técnica de disposição de resíduos de bauxita prevê uma operação inicial de lançamento no interior de lagos artificiais, em forma de polpa. Após o esgotamento do lago e ressecamento do resíduo, inicia-se o lançamento pelo método a montante. Neste método, a polpa é lançada sobre o resíduo pré-existente, que se encontra em processo de adensamento. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo reproduzir numericamente o comportamento de áreas de resíduos durante a etapa de alteamento a montante. A pesquisa tem como enfoque 2 áreas de resíduos de bauxita. Uma delas encontra-se em fase de reabilitação e dispõe de instrumentação de campo (recalques e deslocamentos horizontais). A outra se encontra em fase de operação do alteamento e dispõe de dados experimentais. Desta forma, a metodologia consistiu na reprodução numérica do processo de alteamento da área instrumentada e comparação dos resultados com a instrumentação de campo, com objetivo de avaliar o modelo numérico e os parâmetros do resíduo. Posteriormente, realizou-se a previsão do comportamento do resíduo de fundação da área em fase de alteamento. Os parâmetros geotécnicos foram definidos a partir de um extenso programa de ensaios de campo e laboratório, executado no local em estudo, fazendo-se uso de um tratamento estatístico dos dados experimentais. Os resultados numéricos mostraram a potencialidade do programa na previsão do comportamento de áreas de resíduos durante o alteamento a montante, com previsões de recalques e deslocamentos horizontais coerentes com a instrumentação de campo. / The prediction of solid wastes behavior is a challenge for geotechnical engineers, since its response differ from the materials usually found in natural deposits. The analysis of the settlements of the foundation, due to the embankment raising is complex. Tailings undergo large settlements, which cannot be evaluated by ordinary consolidation theories. In Brazil, bauxite tailings are initially discharged into impoundment areas in a slurry form. After achieving the storage capacity of the reservoir, the tailing is allowed to dry, in order to enhance its resistance. Subsequently, the embankment is raised by the upstream method, and the mud is discharged on top of a material which is undergoing a consolidation process. The present research aims at reproducing numerically the response of bauxite tailings due to an upstream raising operation. The research focused 2 impoundment areas at same site. One area is being environmentally rehabilitated and is instrumented with vertical and horizontal gauges. The other is still in operation and an experimental investigation was carried out at this site. The methodology consisted of simulating the sequence of embankment raises and comparing the results with field instrumentation, in order to evaluate the numerical model and waste parameters. Subsequently, the behavior of the foundation of the area undergoing a raising embankment operation was evaluated. The geotechnical parameters were defined according to a statistical treatment of results of the experimental program (field and laboratory). The vertical and horizontal displacements, predicted by the numerical simulation, fitted reasonably well with field instrumentation and showed the inherent potential of the numerical modeling.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-08-25T18:39:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marcos Vinicius Agapito Mendes - 2016.pdf: 6024870 bytes, checksum: 397612c9ee026657485cbe5767f109c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-26T11:38:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marcos Vinicius Agapito Mendes - 2016.pdf: 6024870 bytes, checksum: 397612c9ee026657485cbe5767f109c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T11:38:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marcos Vinicius Agapito Mendes - 2016.pdf: 6024870 bytes, checksum: 397612c9ee026657485cbe5767f109c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-12 / The sustainable development becomes important to the processes and products of organizations. Considering this context, the construction and mining seek to innovate to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Alternative materials that replace the mains concrete components, one of the most used materials in construction, may innovate the market and ensure the sustainable development of organizations. This work studied the behavior of the mechanical strength of conventional molded concrete with partial replacement of fine aggregate by magnetic tailings from the phosphate rock processing Catalan/GO region. Characterization tests were performed for concrete components (physical and chemical), consistency of performance evaluation in fresh through frustum of abatement tests (slump test), compressive strength and tensile, inference permeability conditions from immersion absorption tests, measurement of possible magnetic properties and determining the percentage of increase in density, allowing set dosages similar final characteristics or better than the reference concrete. The results indicate the influence of the partial replacement of fine aggregate by magnetic reject the frustum of abatement in the results for concrete with moderate amounts of water. The immersion absorption rates accuse larger permeabilities in concretes with high rates of water. The density was slightly influence of replacement and concrete didn’t show magnetic properties. The results of mechanical resistance tests show similar to standard concrete the possibility of replacing the sand by magnetic reject at 5, 10 and 30%. There is still the possibility of forming with 20% replacement in concrete with low and moderate amounts of water, showing results of mechanical strength higher than all other proposed dose in this study. / O desenvolvimento sustentável tornou-se, atualmente, importante para os processos e produtos das organizações. Considerando este contexto, os setores de construção civil e de mineração buscam inovar para reduzir custos e diminuir impactos ambientais. Materiais alternativos que substituam os principais componentes do concreto podem inovar o mercado e garantir o desenvolvimento sustentável das organizações. Este estudo buscou estudar o comportamento da resistência mecânica de concretos convencionais moldados com substituição parcial do agregado miúdo por rejeito magnético proveniente do processamento de rocha fosfática da região de Catalão/GO. Foram realizados ensaios de caracterização dos componentes do concreto (físicos e químicos), avaliação do comportamento da consistência no estado fresco por meio de ensaios de abatimento do tronco de cone (slump test), resistência mecânica à compressão e tração, inferência de condições de permeabilidade a partir de ensaios de absorção por imersão, mensuração de possíveis propriedades magnéticas e determinação do percentual de aumento da massa específica, permitindo definir as dosagens com características finais semelhantes ou melhores que o concreto referência. Os resultados indicam a influência da substituição parcial do agregado miúdo por rejeito magnético nos resultados do abatimento do tronco de cone para concretos com quantidade moderada de água. Os índices de absorção por imersão acusam permeabilidades maiores em concretos com altas taxas de água. A massa específica sofreu pequena influência da substituição e os concretos não apresentaram propriedades magnéticas. Os resultados dos ensaios de resistência mecânica semelhantes ao concreto padrão comprovam a possibilidade de substituição da areia por rejeito magnético em 5, 10 e 30%. Ainda existe a possibilidade de moldagem com 20% de substituição em concretos com quantidades baixas e moderadas de água, apresentando resultados de resistência mecânica superiores as demais dosagens propostas neste estudo.

O presente trabalho propõe a concentração da bauxita presente em um rejeito fino gerado na usina de beneficiamento da Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA), agora denominada Votorantim Metais Alumínio, em Itamarati de Minas (MG), através da flotação reversa da sílica, sob a forma de quartzo. Como os minerais de ferro e titânio acompanham a bauxita, é necessário fazer separação magnética para eliminá-los do concentrado final. O concentrado de ferro e titânio pode ser utilizado como aditivo para fabricação de cimento portland. O rejeito de sílica pode ser utilizado como areia para construção civil ou na própria mina em manutenção de vias de acesso. Os experimentos sistemáticos em bancada foram realizados em célula de flotação mecânica, primeiramente, com minério de uma amostragem realizada em 2004. Determinadas as dosagens ótimas dos reagentes (coletor e depressor), partiu-se para a flotação com etapas cleaner e scavenger para definir o balanço de massas e verificar o comportamento do processo. Para validar as conclusões do trabalho experimental, foi feita nova amostragem na usina de beneficiamento de Itamarati de Minas, em julho de 2005, e, com este minério, o experimento de flotação com recirculação de produtos em um circuito em bancada composto por cinco etapas rougher, cleaner e scavenger. Partindo-se de uma alimentação nova com 11,6% de alumina aproveitável, chegou-se a um concentrado com teor de 52,6% no final do circuito, após a separação magnética, com recuperação em massa de 13,3% e recuperação de alumina aproveitável de 60,4%. / The present work proposes bauxite concentration using quartz flotation from a product so far considered a tailing, from the ore processing plant of Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA), now called Votorantim Metais Alumínio, at Itamarati de Minas (MG). A magnetic separation operation is also necessary to eliminate iron and titanium contaminants. Both products from this beneficiation process can have an industrial destination: iron and titanium concentrate can be used as a portland cement charge and the quartz can be used as construction sand in mine or in road maintenance. Systematic experiments were performed on bench cell froth flotation using the remaining ore sample taken in a 2004 campaign. The optimum collector and depressant dosages were found, followed by a flotation test with cleaner and scavenger that determined the mass balance and confirmed the process behavior. To validate these conclusions a fresh ore sample was taken in July 2005. A new simulation of the flotation circuit by locked cycle with five steps rougher, cleaner and scavenger in bench scale was done with this sample. From an 11,6% alumina feed, a 52% Al2O3 alumina concentrate was achieved, after magnetic separation. The mass recovery was 13,3% and the available alumina recovery was 60,4%

M.Sc. (Geography) / Gold mine tailings deposits in the Witwatersrand are subjected to intensive wind and water erosion the combination of factors responsible for air and water pollution. Numerous efforts to alleviate this problem through vegetation have succeeded in establishing soil cover, although the surviving species are not representative of original indigenous vegetation and longer-term soil establishment has been poor. Contributing to these difficult conditions for establishing stable soil and plant communities are: low pH values; low surface stability; deficient organic matter and nitrogen; and high levels of heavy metal in the tailings. Although the role of cryptogams on nutrient cycling and positive impacts on growth of plants is well documented, their potential use in the planning of rehabilitation programmes of gold mine tailings has not been explored. In this study, the abundance and diversity of cryptogams and their impact on the chemical properties of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) surface material were investigated on three selected tailings dams: Fleurhof (2L3), Rand Leases (2L8), and Durban Roodepoort Deep DRD (2L24). On the third TSF, DRD (2L24), the original vegetation on the northern half has been entirely covered by wind- eroded material from the southern half the current surface represents a fresh un-vegetated surface. Field investigation was conducted to determine the abundance, diversity and coverage of cryptogams and their effect on the surface stability of the selected tailings. Bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi were isolated and identified to evaluate the diversity and abundance of these organisms in the study area. In addition, electron microscopy observations were performed to understand the formation of the TSF crust. Chemical analyses of pH, electrical conductivity and the nutritional level of cryptogams TSF material were conducted to determine the effects of cryptogams on the chemical properties of the TSF material and predict the suitability of the substrate for the establishment of other microbes and vegetation. Abundant cryptogams, with diversified growth and morphological features, were found within the sampled areas. The cryptogam diversity proved similar to those across the three tailings dams, and was dominated by mosses and lichens. The abundance and growth of these mosses and lichens was dependent on the presence of vegetative cover and the direction of solar radiation. On undisturbed sites, cryptogams covered as much as 30% on DRD, 70% on RL, and 80% on FL. It was observed that the TSF surfaces covered by cryptogams were more stable than the bare ones. Ten genera of cyanobacteria were isolated from samples for the three tailings and identified, based on their morphology and growth characteristics, as: Aphanocapsa sp., Chromonas sp., Chroococcus sp., Cyanothece sp., Microcystis aeruginosa; Microcoleus sp., Nostoc sp., Oscillatoria sp, Scytonema sp. and Stigonema sp. Five fungal (Trichoderma gamsii, Phoma sp., Hypocrea lixii, Lecythophora sp, and Ascomycota) and four bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis, Arthrobacter aurescens, A. histidinolovorans, and A. sulfonivorans), representing the most abundant isolates from each group, iv were identified using DNA sequencing. Under the electron microscope, it was observed that the cryptogams being examined constituted diversified groups of organisms. Mycelia mats and sheathe produced by filamentous cyanobacteria and fungi played a major role in the formation of the crust by binding the TSF particles. The substrate had very low pH, EC, organic matter and nutrients essential for plant growth. However, the presence of cryptogams altered the acidity of the surface material into almost neutral and significantly improved the level of the essential nutrients and organic matter. It was concluded that the diversity of cryptogams in the TSF material was comparable to the diversity reported on other (different) soils. In addition, the cryptogams’ role in ameliorating the chemical properties of the surface material of the TSF is a clear indication that these organisms can play a positive role in stabilising the tailings material surface and promoting the growth of other microbes and higher plant forms.

D.Phil. / Over a century gold exploration and extraction on the central Witwatersrand has left a legacy of mine residue deposits. Although there have been numerous complaints and claims of health effects associated with dust from these residue deposits, mostly these have been dismissed as mere nuisance. This study hypothesized that gold mine tailings on the Witwatersrand pose significant health risks to the nearby communities due to respirable airborne tailings material. Preliminary review of information on the tailings led to the insight that tailings source material and atmospheric properties at receptor sites are poorly characterized from the point of view of particle size-mass distributions. For years, routine monitoring of emissions from tailings storage facilities has been limited to sampling of dust fallout (settlable particles ≥ 30 μm). A suite of fifty four source samples (thirty-six slime, six newer slime and twelve sand) were collected from tailings storage facilities along the mining corridor covering deposits in the Carltonville area through to Springs. Size class characterization of source material was performed in the diameter range 0.05 μm to 900 μm using a Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser with 64 channels, from which the respirable (dp< 5 μm) and thoracic (dp < 10 μm) components were measured. Secondly, source materials were sieved (using a sieving cloth) in dp < 5 and < 10 μm fractions and the data derived was used in validating the size class results from the Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser before subjecting the samples to chemical analyses (elemental, mineralogical and radioactivity). Two years of continuous dust fall samples were collected in two different residential areas close to selected tailings storage facilities and subjected to similar size class characterization with the Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser. Further, continuous size-mass characterization of airborne aerosols was conducted in two different locations in the vicinity of tailings storage facilities with the Grimm® aerosol particle counter, in the diameter range 0.25 μm to 32 μm. The Grimm® aerosol particle counter was collocated with the MicroVol® PM10 filter sampler ambient monitor. The risk zones around selected tailings storage facilities were established by conducting dispersion modeling with American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD). The spatial evolution of tailings storage facilities and built-up areas is assessed using multiple aerial photographic images, covering four periods from 1952 to 2008. Overall, detailed spatial analysis was conducted and human inhabitants are now at greater risk than before. We have quantified the number of inhabitants living within the high-risk zone surrounding selected tailings storage facilities. The combined areas occupied by tailings storage facilities have increased from ~4 km2 (1952) to 10 km2 (2002); and residential areas ~4 km2 (1952) to 27 km2 (2002) within a buffer of 2 km. Population grew between 1952 and 2002 by a factor x29 at Crown Gold Recoveries; x43 at Durban Roodepoort Deep (from 1976); and x25 at East Rand Proprietary Mines.

Mature fine tailings (MFT), as a mixture of residual bitumen, sand, silt, fine clay particles and water, are a byproduct of oil sands extraction. The large volume, and poor consolidation and water release ability of MFT have been causing significant economic and environmental concerns. Therefore, several studies have been implemented on finding innovative dewatering/disposal techniques. As a result, different methods have been introduced and tested at a laboratory or a field scale, yet very few of these are commercially used in the oil sands industries. Despite the extensive research, an optimal solution has not been found due to the lack of technical or economic feasibility. In the present study, a novel approach that consists of the rapid dewatering of MFT by using a super absorbent polymer (SAP) to produce dense MFT is proposed. A comprehensive laboratory investigation on the geotechnical characteristics and behavior before and after treatment of MFT is conducted. The effects of SAP based dewatering and freeze/thaw cycles on the undrained shear strength of dewatered MFT by using a vane shear apparatus are studied. Furthermore, the ability of recycled SAP to dewater and densify MFT is assessed. Finally, this study provides the results of consolidation and hydraulic conductivity testing to evaluate the void ratio versus effective stress and hydraulic conductivity of MFT. The effects on the behavior and characteristics of MFT after amendment with usage of recycled SAP are also investigated. The results indicate that SAP has the ability to significantly dewater, densify and increase the undrained shear strength of MFT. Furthermore, when subjected to freeze/thaw cycles, the MFT dewatered with SAP shows an additional increase in strength and solid content. It is also found to be possible to regenerate the polymer (still within sachets) through light thermal drying, and the regenerated SAP can still significantly dewater and thus increase the shear strength and solid content of the MFT. In addition, the obtained high solid content affects and improves the compressibility of the material, thus resulting in low initial void ratios. On the other hand, low hydraulic permeability that is derived from low initial void ratios and consolidation is improved by the freeze/thaw process due to the interconnected voids created during the freezing process.